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I don’t have glitter in my shop at any other time of year,” says Amanda Brooks, founder of Cotswolds lifestyle boutique Cutter Brooks. It’s November, the mulled wine has begun to flow and Brooks is charged with holiday spirit as she stands in the doorway of her new west London pop-up. After 11 years in the country, the former fashion director of Barneys New York has been lusting after a bit of city life. “I constantly need to evolve,” she says; and this store, with its exclusive holiday focus and location, is primed for foot traffic.
Handpainted baubles in the west London pop-up shop © Lottie Hampson
She starts acquiring Christmas stock as early as January
Brooks is famed for her Christmas decor and each year transforms her home into a winter idyll that goes wild on Instagram. A similar approach has been applied to the new space, an interiors studio now festooned with garlands of fresh pine. Almost everything inside is either custom or handmade. “I really pound the pavement,” jokes Brooks, recalling sourcing trips to India and journeys to deepest, darkest Germany in search of the perfect bauble. She starts acquiring Christmas stock as early as January.
Handpainted wooden nutcrackers, sourced from a German town where they have been made since 1928 © Lottie Hampson
Quilted oven mitts © Lottie Hampson
Among the array of gifts are punchy plaid and striped linens (from £220) by Heather Taylor Home and Tinsera, the family-run indigo-dyeing factory in Guinea, and paper flowers by New York-based visual artist Livia Cetti, with whom Brooks has collaborated on a set of giant red hollyhocks (from £495). Also available is Cutter Brooks’ own collection of table dressings (from £195) and kantha accessories (from £40) – “we’ve added velvet for a seasonal flourish,” says Brooks.
Amanda Brooks in the London pop-up © Lottie Hampson
Meeting manufacturers in person is non-negotiable for the shop owner. She attributes much of this to her own curious nature, but also to artist John Derian, a mentor and friend for almost 25 years. His New York store combines a similar blend of artisanal and namesake objects and his signature Decoupage Series, puzzles, sticker books and gift wrap are also carried at Cutter Brooks.
This Christmas, Brooks has been working with a new vendor in Poland, whose handblown and handpainted baubles (from £25) are kitsch and considered in equal measure. Choose between Camembert wheels, gardening gloves and soft-boiled eggs. Those looking for more traditional decorations, meanwhile, can opt for pine cones or a set of 1930s-style silver baubles.
Cutter Brooks pyjamas and quilted kanthas © Lottie Hampson
The Christmas tabletop collection including vintage plates and handpainted ceramics from Paris, decorative mushrooms from Germany and Santa-shaped napkin rings © Lottie Hampson
Amid the toadstools, nutcrackers and plush mechanical animals stands this year’s hero piece, a papier-mâché Father Christmas (from £85) wrapped in moss. “It’s a work of art,” beams Brooks as she inspects the creature. The same manufacturer has also supplied a series of classic red Santas with beaded coats (from £45), of which Brooks has her own collection. She turns one upside down to reveal an opening – “candy boxes,” she explains.
The Cutter Brooks pop-up shop © Lottie Hampson
The pop-up will run while stock lasts, but is set to be open for all of this month and next. Items will rotate according to the festive mood. “November is about decorating and ornaments,” says Brooks. “December is for entertaining and gifting.” While Brooks has what seems like infinite supplies, most pieces have been made specially for the pop-up. So get there quickly. You don’t want to miss a thing.
97 Golborne Road, London W10 5NL, cutterbrooks.com
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https://www.ft.com/content/74454245-e258-4bd2-8755-e14e03578e2a
